This course explores ‘Indigenous affairs’ policy  in Australia, or what is sometimes termed Indigenous public policy. Critical First Nations Peoples’ perspectives are foregrounded alongside policy histories and analytical approaches to understanding policy sectors and issues. The course focuses on First Nations self-determination in policy, and relationships between First Nations people and the state. Topics featured in the course include Voices to parliament and government, Treaties, shared decision-making, land rights and native title, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and work, labour and welfare.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate a high level of knowledge about Australian Government policies concerning First Peoples, and the context of such policies; 
2. demonstrate insight into First Peoples' perspectives on such policies;
3. critically analyse and evaluate Indigenous public policies and programs, including proposals to reform public policy, based on existing literature and Indigenous policy principles; and
4. synthesise and critique academic, government and popular writing about Indigenous public policy.

Required Resources

Resources and details of course information can be found on Wattle.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to First Nations people and public policy
2	Perspectives on First Nations people and the State
3	Self-determination and Sovereignty
4	Race and the constitution, and; Indigenous Voice to Parliament
5	Treaty
6	Competing lenses for evaluating First Nations public policy
7	Native Title and Land Rights
8	The Coalition of Peaks and Closing the Gap
9	Use and Management of Country
10	Local Decision Making in NSW
11	Indigenous Education Policy
12	Indigenous Income Employment, and; Summing up the course

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Short argumentative essay	30 %	1,2,3
Long Analytical Essay	50 %	1,2,3
Discussion Forums	10 %	1,2
Tutorial participation	10 %

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Short argumentative essay

The short essay assessment for the course is to write a short 1,500 (+/-10%) word essay responding to one of the weekly tutorial questions.

 

You will be expected to engage with and properly reference academic and public debate on the issue and to conduct your own research beyond the provided readings.

 

See assessment rubric at end of course outline.

Assessment Task 2

Long Analytical Essay

The major assessment for the course is to write a 3,000 (+/-10%) word mock parliamentary submission (plus references), including introduction, body and conclusion. Include sub-headings where appropriate. Double-spaced Microsoft Word document submitted via Turnitin.

 

The task is to provide a written response to a Commonwealth or State/Territory parliamentary inquiry. During the tutorials, we will discuss different inquiries that you may choose to will respond to. Please discuss your choice with your tutor before commencing your assessment. One example of a current inquiry: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Aboriginal_and_Torres_Strait_Islander_Affairs/Economicself-determinati

 

Your submission must respond to at least one of the inquiry’s terms of reference (ToR).

 

Your submission must focus on one program or policy approach—either past or present— that addresses at least one of the terms of reference with a focus on Indigenous public policy.

 

There are four elements to this assignment:

1) Select an Inquiry;

2) Select the ToR (within that inquiry) that you will focus on;

3) Identify a policy or program relevant to that Inquiry;

4) Choose an evaluation framework (covered in Week 6* on Policy Evaluation) to use for your assessment/evaluation

~then~

5) Assess and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the program using your chosen evaluation framework

6) Make recommendations for reforms to the program or policy based on your assessment/analysis.

 

Additional information:

Once you have selected your Inquiry, ToR, policy/program, and evaluation framework, the most efficient thing to do is to state these clearly. For example: This is a mock submission to the [A] Inquiry focusing on [B] ToR. The [C] policy/program is relevant to this inquiry for [D] reasons. I will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the [C] policy/program using the [E] evaluation framework. I will discuss and analyse the strengths and weaknesses of [C] policy program with particular reference to [B] ToR of the [A] Inquiry, before making recommendations for reforms to policy [C].

 

Feel free to use these subheadings. For other helpful tips and templates on essay writing, see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/academic-skills/writing-assessment/essay-writing/plan-your-essay

 

General formatting criteria for the assessment:

 

The major assessment for the course is to write a 3,000 (+/-10%) word parliamentary submission (plus references), including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Include sub- headings where appropriate.

This submission should take the form of an academic essay. It will be assessed based on the usual scholarly standards regarding to critical thinking, academic rigour, clear communication, and appropriate citation. Please submit your assessment as a double- spaced Microsoft Word document via Turnitin.

 

See assessment rubric at end of course outline

Assessment Task 3

Discussion Forums

There are two parts to this task. The first part is to post weekly responses to your chosen forum question. We will discuss responses in the following weekly online class. You are required to post nine (9) responses during semester. You may miss up to two weeks during semester but you must complete postings for weeks 1 and 2. This part, in conjunction with weekly contributions to discussions is worth half of the overall 10% for this assessment task.

 

The second part to this task is to present an oral summary of forum responses for one week only. This is a short summary 5 minutes maximum. You must present a summary of class responses in your own words and outline your own response to the postings noting key points of agreement and/or any missing issues or angles in the class responses. A written summary of your presentation points (one page max) is to be submitted to the convenors. You need to do this once only. You can choose your week during the week one class. (Worth half of the overall 10% for this assessment task)

 

Word limit: Post approximately 150 word responses (about 1,500 words over the length of the course).

Due Date: Weekly Postings are due 9am on your tutorial day each week; the one-off written Forum Summary (one page max) is due on the day you present to the class.

Assessment Task 4

Tutorial participation

Participation in the tutorials is a critical part of INDG8004. As such, attendance is strongly encouraged. Students are expected to attend lectures and participate during the in class discussions. In tutorials, students are expected to have done the readings and be active participants in the discussions guided by the Tutor. Mere attendance in the tutorials is not sufficient participation. Your participation mark will be released after the last tutorial at the end of Semester. You will be marked on your attendance, preparation and participation within class activities. You will be able to ask for feedback on their participation throughout the semester.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Assignments will not be physically returned.

Grades and feedback will be made available via Turnitin and on Gradebook.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Generally, resubmission is not permitted unless requested on a case by case basis by the course convenor.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students